A Good Country Wife-Chapter 658 - 651_1

"Why? Simply because this is Longhu Mountain territory, and I’ve said that once you’re in Longhu Mountain, you must follow the rules here! Chang Dabao, take her away. Hmm, she can stay at my Qingfeng Residence, the environment there is quite nice and should be comfortable. It’s befitting for the employer of a woman like Lin Yue." Huangfu Yi was a proud man. Although he was somewhat uninhibited and unruly due to the environment in which he had grown up, the pride and nobility in his bones were unchangeable. Naturally, he didn’t feel the need to explain much to Lin Yue, and, unfazed by her anger, he instructed her.

By this time, Lin Yue was already fuming. "Leader, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to place me under house arrest?! I have never seen anyone conduct business this way. As the saying goes, even thieves have their code. Even bandits value honor and loyalty. Your behavior is truly despicable!"

Huangfu Yi was not angered by Lin Yue’s words. He thought that it was normal for Lin Yue to get angry with what he was doing. In fact, he found her anger somewhat cute, a demeanor more fitting her age. She was indeed a young girl who should be acting like this. Even if she was married, she was still just a girl in her teens. Her previous composure and calm had seemed too steady and mature, which was why he had felt something amiss. It was exactly this.

"You are mistaken. Although my actions have upset Madam Lin, I have not broken my promise. I vowed to rescue Master Xue and present him before you in good health. As for other details, I have not committed to anything. Madam Lin should not be confused," Huangfu Yi stated calmly. He then asked Chang Dabao to escort her away, ensuring she was well taken care of with good food and drink. There was just one condition: she could only leave Qingfeng Residence with an escort and was prohibited from leaving the stronghold.

"This really is the behavior of bandits. In that case, I hope the leader keeps his word and manages to rescue him. Otherwise, even if the silver is returned, it will still cause a delay in my affairs and tarnish Longhu Mountain’s reputation!"

When Chang Dabao heard that Huangfu Yi was letting Lin Yue stay in Qingfeng Residence, he was even more surprised. It seemed like the Leader held a very special regard for Madam Lin, particularly allowing her to reside in the Leader’s abode, a place usually off-limits as it was associated with the Leader’s fastidiousness and personal habits. The group had grown accustomed to not disturbing the quiet sanctuary of their leader and never thought the Leader would willingly let Madam Lin stay there. Chang Dabao couldn’t help but be astonished and wondered if the Leader had taken a liking to Madam Lin. But Lin Yue was already married, and Chang Dabao had a good impression of Zhao Erhu. He hoped the Leader wasn’t planning to take Lin Yue for himself to be the chieftain’s wife, which left Chang Dabao feeling quite conflicted.

Huangfu Yi was unaware of Chang Dabao’s turmoil. Of course, he had no designs on a married woman; he simply found her to be someone to his liking.

"Please follow me, Madam Lin," said Chang Dabao, his mind still in turmoil, yet bound to obey the commands of his leader.

Huangfu Yi was resolute, showing no intention of compromise. Lin Yue, despite feeling angry and resentful, had no choice but to comply. Being in a den of bandits without the ability to fight or argue, she could only capitulate and place her hopes on Huangfu Yi, hoping that he wasn’t just a pretty, useless thing and would have the ability to actually rescue the person. Considering Huangfu Yi’s cunning and conduct, Lin Yue felt a large glimmer of hope and her anger dissipated somewhat.

Huangfu Yi had already devised a specific plan, now making some minor alterations in certain details. Although the stronghold’s inhabitants were mostly trusted allies, apart from a few he relied on regularly, Huangfu Yi didn’t completely trust the others. After all, one’s true intentions are hidden, and betraying the stronghold for profit wasn’t impossible. Moreover, who could be sure if spies from other places hadn’t infiltrated their ranks? Regulations for joining the bandits on the mountain weren’t strict.

Since Huangfu Yi was careful, only a few privy to his plans were informed, carrying out preparations in secret as per his orders. The majority in the stronghold remained oblivious, only aware that a major operation might be underway soon, without knowledge of the specifics. They simply waited for the appointed time when the Leader would inform them.

Although anxious, Lin Yue saw that Huangfu Yi was methodical in his actions; and since haste was futile, she calmed down. With her naturally gentle and amiable temperament and attractive appearance, she easily won people’s trust. Within a day or two, she had blended in with the people at the stronghold and learned much about it. Only then did she realize that despite Huangfu Yi’s cold and austere nature and his particularities, his status was highly esteemed in the stronghold.

It wasn’t just about formal rank or position; men and women, old and young alike in the stronghold held great respect and gratitude for Huangfu Yi. They all managed to live comfortably, without worrying about food or clothing, thanks to him. Some were refugees from other places, and following a recent flood disaster, the stronghold had taken in many more displaced people. The ranks were swelling, explaining the ever-increasing expenditure, no longer covered by mere highway robbery.

After all, the bandits of Longhu Mountain, although engaging in robbery, mostly targeted ill-gotten wealth or the very rich and didn’t rob homes. This was one reason why the government had not exerted great effort in assailing Longhu Mountain. Many common folk felt a sense of relief over the bandits’ practices. Most referred to the heroes of Longhu Mountain rather than bandits. Locals wouldn’t dare to support them openly, but in secret, they sided with the bandits of Longhu Mountain. Some families even had members among the bandits and would tip them off about government movements, receiving rewards from the bandits in return. This increased everyone’s enthusiasm, making successful government campaigns against the bandits highly unlikely.

"Your leader really is that good? I think he’s just domineering and unreasonable. Otherwise, why would he forcibly keep me in the stronghold? A bandit will always remain a bandit, never shedding their bandit habits," said Lin Yue, still harboring ill feelings toward Huangfu Yi. Hearing the stronghold’s people hold him in such high regard left a sour taste in her mouth, and she couldn’t hold back a few disparaging remarks, which led to her being ’attacked’ by the others—though not physically, but rather surrounded by a group of women who spoke at length in defense of their leader.

"I must say, Madam Lin, you shouldn’t talk like that. If the common folk had a way to make a living, who would want to become a bandit? We joined the bandits because we couldn’t survive at home, forced to take to banditry. The Leader gave us a way to live, to have such comfortable lives; he is a living Buddha to us. No matter what issues you have with our Leader, we can’t stand to hear you speak ill of him."